Sports fan&#39;s noise maker

ABSTRACT

A sports fan&#39;s noise maker with two non-exclusive embodiments: one for use at hockey games and one for football games. The noise maker includes a noise making mechanism, said noise making mechanism comprising a disk-shaped outer casing. Contained within the outer casing is a gear with an attached handle, said handle extending outward through an aperture on the bottom of the casing. A striker is attached to the bottom wall of the casing and extends upward and is configured to abut against the gear when the device is rotated. An elongated gripping portion is provided. In the case of the hockey embodiment, the gripping portion is formed as a miniature hockey stick. In the case of the football noise maker, the gripping portion is formed to represent a miniature football goal post. The noise making mechanism is contained within either a miniature hockey or football helmet as appropriate.

INTRODUCTORY PORTION

The applicant herein is the same entity as the applicant in U.S. patent application bearing Ser. No. 10/437,705 that issued to U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,695 B1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a noise maker for use at sporting events or other mass gatherings. More specifically, the present invention comprises noise making mechanism that is enclosed within a helmet or other representation of a team or performer that includes an elongated handle portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a popular pastime around the world to attend sporting events or other mass gatherings or performances, and it is frequently the practice to root for one's favorite team, player or performer and to make as much noise as possible. One method of creating noise is by clapping and yelling. Alternatively, to reduce the stress on the vocal cords of the fans, and to increase the volume of the clamor, it has become common practice to utilize mechanical noise makers to create the crowd noise.

Moreover, fans like to carry with them objects, be they full sized or miniature, that mimic the equipment used by the players or entertainers or contain the name of the team, or the logo of the team, player or performer for whom they are rooting. For example, it is common when attending hockey or football games for members of the crowd to bring along full sized or miniature articles that are employed in the games. Specifically, miniature hockey stick, helmets, football goalposts, etc. are frequently carried or worn. Moreover, these articles may display the name and/or the logo or insignia of the team or the fan's favorite player or performer.

It would be an advantage to provide a device that can serve as a noise maker and also serve to the purpose of giving the fan an object to carry into the event that displays the fan's allegiance to a particular team, player or performer. It would further be advantageous if the object were an implement that is representative of the equipment that is used in the sport, be it full size or in miniature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sports fan's noise maker. Two non-exclusive embodiments of the noise maker are presented herein: one for use at hockey games and one for football games. The noise maker includes a noise making mechanism, said noise making mechanism comprising a disk-shaped outer casing. Contained within the outer casing is a gear with an attached handle, said handle extending outward through an aperture on the bottom of the casing. A striker is attached to the bottom wall of the casing and extends upward and is configured to abut against the gear when the device is rotated.

An elongated gripping portion is provided. In the case of the hockey embodiment, the gripping portion is formed as a miniature hockey stick. In the case of the football noise maker, the gripping portion is formed to represent a miniature football goal post. In addition, a representation of headwear is provided wherein the noise making mechanism is fitted into the bottom of the headwear. Furthermore, if desired, a pennant showing the team colors and/or logo may be attached to the headwear.

The user can utilize the device by grasping onto the elongated gripping portion. When desired, the user rotates the gripping portion thereby transmitting rotation to the noise making mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made herein to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the present invention noise maker in its football embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of the present invention noise maker in its football embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded front plan view of the present invention noise maker in its football embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the present invention noise maker in its hockey embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of the present invention noise maker in its hockey embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front plan view of the present invention noise maker in its football embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the present invention is a noise making device suitable for use at sporting events, concerts, performances or other such mass gatherings. Depicted in the drawings are two embodiments of the invention, one for use at football games and one for hockey games. However, it will be understood that the present invention can be utilized at any mass gathering including concerts, performances, plays, recitals, etc. Generally, the noise making device comprises a noise making mechanism 12, a helmet or other head gear 14 of the type that an athlete of a particular sport or other performer would wear, and an elongated gripping portion 16. In one embodiment the noise making device further includes a pennant 18 attached to the helmet.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the noise making mechanism 12 is seen in greater detail. The noise making mechanism 12 shown here is a standard off-the-shelf prior art noise making mechanism. It includes a disc-shaped outer casing 18. (Although the casing here is shown as being circular, it need not be. Off-the-shelf noise making mechanisms in other configurations are suitable.) As shown here, the casing is formed from metal, but it could be plastic or other suitable material. The casing 18 includes an off-center aperture 20 on its bottom.

A gear 22 having gear teeth is provided and is located within the casing 18. The size of the gear is not critical so long as it is smaller than the casing thereby allowing free rotation. An elongated handle 24 is firmly attached to the center of the bottom of the gear. The diameter of the handle should be small enough to allow it to fit through the aperture 20. It will be appreciated that in accordance with prior art noise making devices, the gear is positioned within the casing such that the handle protrudes through the aperture. A striker 26 formed from an elongated piece of material is provided. The striker is formed as a flat attachment extending upward from the bottom panel of the casing and should be flexible enough to permit displacement which it makes contact with the gear teeth.

An elongated gripping portion 16 is provided, which gripping portion is connected to the handle portion 24 of the noise making mechanism. In the case of the football embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1-3, the gripping portion 16 takes the form of a vertical extension that extends up from the crossbar of a (miniature) football goalpost 26. In the case of the hockey embodiment of the present invention, the gripping portion 16 takes the form of the handle portion of a (miniature) hockey stick.

Further included is a helmet, 14 head wear or other representation of what an athlete or performer would wear. As shown in the embodiments here, in the football embodiment, the invention includes a miniature football helmet. In the hockey embodiment, the invention includes a miniature hockey helmet. Although shown relative to a sports team, other embodiments of this invention would include hats or helmets that a stage or recording act or other entertainers might wear. Miniature helmets are usually formed from plastic and often have the insignia of a particular sports team displayed thereon. It is understood that being a helmet or hat, it has an interior portion. Although the invention is shown utilizing a miniature helmet, the invention also encompasses using a full-size helmet, or any other cap having an interior.

The noise making mechanism is attached inside the interior of the miniature helmet as is shown in FIG. 2 for the football embodiment and FIG. 5 for the hockey embodiment. Although not necessary, ideally the external circumference of the outer casing 18 of the noise maker is chosen so that it fits snugly inside the underside of the helmet. Of course, so long as the outer casing is smaller than the interior of the underside of the helmet, it can be configured (e.g. through employment of spacing bars) to mate with the helmet.

The present invention may also include a pennant 28 affixed to the head wear. The pennant, as indicated herein, may include the team or performer name, logo or other indicia of the team or performer.

Now, it will be seen that a fan may grasp hold of the knob end of the elongated gripping portion 26. When the user spins the gripping portion, the casing of the noise making device will be caused to rotate, thereby causing the striker to the contact the gear. As such, the noise will be emitted. It is further understood that the helmet will be caused to rotate in coordination with the noise making mechanism as they are attached to each other. It is further disclosed that, in the case of the football embodiment, the uprights of the football goalposts must be sized and configured to permit rotation of the headwear. Moreover, the banner, if utilized, must be sized and positioned to permit rotation of the headwear.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles and preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, operation and embodiment shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

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 8. A sport's fan's noise making device comprising: a football helmet having an interior portion; a spinning noise maker, said noise maker attached to the interior portion of said football helmet, said noise maker having a handle portion; and an elongated gripping portion attached to said handle portion of said noise maker, said elongated gripping portion is formed as a football goal post; wherein a user spins said elongated gripping portion causing said noise maker to emit sound.
 9. The noise making device of claim 7 which further includes a pennant attached to said football helmet. 